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3232Attending MAGIC: Trade Show Survival Guidehttp://www.jancechartae.com/attending-magic-trade-show-survival-guide/
http://www.jancechartae.com/attending-magic-trade-show-survival-guide/#respondThu, 21 Jun 2018 18:38:17 +0000http://www.jancechartae.com/?p=1723WWDMAGIC is THE trade show of ALL fashion trade shows! I attended MAGIC for the first time in February and the show did not disappoint. Attending MAGIC is literally the most overwhelming, yet rewarding experience that any current or aspiring boutique owner could have. Before we dive in, open a new tab so that you […]

]]>WWDMAGIC is THE trade show of ALL fashion trade shows! I attended MAGIC for the first time in February and the show did not disappoint. Attending MAGIC is literally the most overwhelming, yet rewarding experience that any current or aspiring boutique owner could have.

Before we dive in, open a new tab so that you can watch my two videos about my Magic experience on my YouTube channel. Be sure to subscribe while you’re there!

1. Take a buddy

I should have taken someone with me when I attended Magic. When deciding who to take with you you’ll have to be strategic. You need to choose someone who knows your brand and the style of merchandise that represents your boutique.

Don’t think of this person as a “second opinion”, but rather a second set of eyes. There is a ton to see at Magic, especially being spread between two different convention centers, and you won’t be able to see it all alone.

Take someone with you who you know will be dedicated and focused on the task at hand. The two of you should split up and plan to get back together at a set time. Your partner is not going to be purchasing anything, but simply doing research on what is out there. Make sure that they take photos and take notes of who sells what. You can even give them a list of questions to ask (which you can find below.)

2. Prepare & Plan

The real planning begins after you’ve decided that you’re attending Magic and have successfully registered. In the weeks/months leading up to Magic, they will send out tons of resources to help you plan your trip. Registering to attend Magic opens the door to discounts on hotels, webinars and tons of other learning materials.

As you prepare to attend Magic you need to prepare your buying plans. What do you want to buy and how many of them do you want to buy? What colors do you want to buy? How many dresses? How many tops? Do you plan to buy accessories? If so, what kind? Are you buying shoes? If so, what styles? How many?

There are tons of questions that you need to ask yourself. Once you figured out what you want to buy you can even start planning which vendors you’ll be looking for. Magic will put out a list of vendors that will exhibit at the trade show. Find it and research the vendors. Eventually there will even be a map that shows where all the booths are located.

There’s an old saying; “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.” You need to live by this saying when attending a trade show like Magic. Not having a plan is definitely going to set you up for not only being overwhelmed, but possibly making some terrible buying decisions. This is NOT the time to be spontaneous!

3. Create a Detailed Budget

Now, I know some of the big questions you may have are in regards to money. You may be wondering “How much does it cost to attend Magic?” or “How much money should I bring to Magic?” Attending Magic can be very affordable or very expensive. It’s truly up to you.

You have to decide how much you want to spend. How much money do you think you can make off of the items that you plan to buy? You have to be realistic with yourself.

If you are an experienced boutique owner the you’ve probably hear the phrase “open-to-buy.” This is essentially a plan of how much inventory to buy based on how much inventory you already have, how much you project to sell in certain time frame. Having a carefully crafted open-to-buy plan can be the difference between having a positive cash flow and struggling to pay the bills/pay yourself. [Tip: As a new boutique owner/first-time buyer this isn’t necessarily helpful to you if you haven’t made any sales yet.]

I can’t really give you any tips on budgeting. How much you spend is truly a personal decision. I would say be honest with yourself. Know how much you’re willing to spend per item and how much you would have to price that item at to make a profit. Think about how easy or how difficult it might be to sell a particular item.

Pick a number and stick with it. Don’t go over your budget, especially if you don’t have room to do so.

My Drafted Budget Prior to Magic

4. Attend the Seminars

So, the seminars were my favorite part of the trade show. I told my boss that I think I did more learning than shopping. Honestly, I think attending those seminars was one of the best business decisions I made all year.

Attending the seminars will also fall into your planning. A schedule of seminars will be released prior to the start of the trade show (probably via e-mail and on ubmfashion.com). Use that schedule to plan your shopping days. Make time for shopping and time for learning. Take note that some of the seminars occur twice and on different days. They also may take place in the opposite convention center. So, make sure you pay attention to detail and plan accordingly.

5. Ask the Right Questions

You will meet with a ton of vendors. This is not the time to be shy. This is the time to do business. It’s not the mall. This is not the place to say “I’m just browsing.” Ask as many questions as possible before you make a purchase. These vendors are here to take as many orders as the can as well as find ew customers. So, they will be more than happy to answer your questions. Some of the questions you should ask include:

How do your pre-packs come sized?

Do you allow open sizing?

What is the delivery date for this item?

What is your policy for damaged items?

Do you have a minimum order quantity?

How do your sizes run?

Missy or juniors?

6. Bring the Right Tools

Don’t be like me and forget your business tools. (I do it every time) Here are few things to bring.

Business cards

Credit card(s)

Cash

Business License/Seller’s Permit (not necessarily required, but just in case)

Water

7. Wear Comfy Shoes

My last, and most important tip (not really), wear comfy shoes… Or bring comfy ones to change into. For some reason we all decided to put on our cutest outfits to impress one another while we shop, but don’t do this at the expense of your feet. Find some cute, but COMFY shoes!

Ok, so are you ready to register to attend Magic? If so, click here. I hope to see you there!

]]>http://www.jancechartae.com/attending-magic-trade-show-survival-guide/feed/0Buying Wholesale – Successful Buying for Boutiqueshttp://www.jancechartae.com/buying-wholesale/
http://www.jancechartae.com/buying-wholesale/#respondWed, 30 May 2018 19:00:23 +0000http://www.jancechartae.com/?p=1615Buying wholesale can be a huge success or a huge pain! This year I added a new role to my list of experience. I can now call myself a “buyer”… and a pretty good one if I may say so myself. So, for this post I want to share tips for navigating the L.A. fashion […]

]]>Buying wholesale can be a huge success or a huge pain! This year I added a new role to my list of experience. I can now call myself a “buyer”… and a pretty good one if I may say so myself. So, for this post I want to share tips for navigating the L.A. fashion district, how I became a fashion buyer and how to be successful at buying.

I am grateful that my current position as a store manager has afforded me experiences that I never saw coming. When I took on this role I never imagined that I would be hopping on a plane to L.A. And I most definitely never imagined that I would have the opportunity to select a collection of merchandise to be sold for the store on a regular basis.

I have about a year and a half of buying experience under my belt. I’ve seen a pretty nice profit from the merchandise I’ve bought and I super proud of myself.

So, I think it’s best to mention that I had no previous buying experience except buying for myself. However, I also think I’ve gained enough insight to provide some helpful tips for other buyers and aspiring buyers.

Before I go on, it’s valuable to note that you can find success buying wholesale in person as well as buying wholesale online. There are just various things that should be taken into consideration in both instances. We’ll discuss it all below. So, here we go…

1. Pre-plan when buying wholesale

One of the most valuable tips I have is to plan every possible detail before your trip or before you make a buy online. Planning should first and foremost include deciding how much money you want to spend. Planning would also include things like choosing a hotel, securing a flight, reserving a rental car and determining if you’re going to ship your merchandise or try to bring some of it back with you. You should also take the time to decide what types of items you want to buy and maybe even how many units you want to buy. (For example: 200 shirts, 5 styles of denim, 20 styles of dresses, etc. ).

Also, take a moment to flip through some fashion magazines. Pay attention to what’s on trend or going to be hot for the following season.

If you’re buying online then I use a website fashiongo.net instead of trying to find individual vendors. FashionGo has a plethora of vendors all in one place. Click here to check out FashionGo. (Note: You are required to set up an account and this requires having certain documents. See #2.)

2. Don’t forget important documents.

Most vendors will require that you have a valid re-sellers permit/business license/tax ID number. This means that no you cannot just walk in requesting to purchase merchandise with the intent to resell it if you don’t have a license to do so. This means that you cannot decide that you’re going to start an “online boutique” and expect to be able to buy merchandise wholesale if you have not taken the steps to prove that you have a legitimate business.

3. Buying cheap, so you can sell cheap.

I personally think that many buyers believe that when they mark something at a higher price it makes consumers believe that the quality is better. I will admit that I at times think this way. However, after seeing for myself how much these items sell for individually and at a wholesale price, there are a lot of companies that are getting over on their customers. The sad part is that it’s relatively easy to convince consumers to spend a crazy amount of money on certain things.

But, I feel that buying cheap and selling cheap creates loyalty and a quicker following especially in markets like St. Louis. A lot of the “boutiques” around here sell the same things or very similar things. After going on buying trips I am familiar with brands and their pricing so I know how much they spend on their items. I don’t want to knock anyone’s hustle, but I’d rather be the vendor that’s selling those same items cheaply and making the customers buy more items per transaction and coming back more frequently.

I’d personally rather sell through a bunch of cheap items fast, than run the risk of being stuck with expensive items for an extended amount of time and have to push harder to sell them.

Lastly, if you’re on the fence and having trouble deciding on a price, ask yourself “what’s the most that I would pay for this item?” Also, it’s a good idea to know how much you want to make on each item. Set goals. What is your projected profit margin?

4. Sometimes it’s better to order directly from a vendor rather than through a third-party website.

Our store was buying merchandise through a third-party website when I first started buying wholesale. (And we still use this website) While at times we find success ordering online, we often run into issues of items not matching their descriptions in person. Sometimes the quality isn’t as we expected it to be.

So, when I went on my first buying trip in March I realized that it was much more beneficial to buy in person versus online. Not only were we able to actually speak with a live person, we were able analyze the merchandise and actually see it in real life before purchasing. We were also able to converse with the vendors and tell them more about the our store and the cause that we support. We were able to build relationships with vendors. The greatest part was that at times we were able to get items for a cheaper price than they were listed both online and in-store. I’ll discuss it a little more in depth below.

Also, upon returning I found that it can beneficial to create account directly through a vendors website as well. There are some vendors that will also you to make a bid on certain items. Third-party websites do not.

5. Build a relationship with someone that works there whenever possible.

During my first buying trip I was on a mission to introduce myself to as many vendors as possible and come home with as many business cards and personal email addresses as possible. Upon the initial connection let them know about your company. Below are some relevant things to mention:

The location of your company

How long you’ve been in business

Share profits if you’re comfortable sharing that type of information

Mention that you want to build a lasting relationship and that you plan to reorder frequently

Does you shop benefit a great cause or organization? Mention it. It makes them feel like they are also giving back.

After you’ve connected with someone who works there, contact them directly when you want to order something.

Additionally, tell them what you’re looking for and ask questions about new things that they may have gotten in. Most importantly, let them know how much you’re hoping to pay. Sometimes they might be able to sell it at that price or at least meet you in the middle.

BONUS

6. Be transparent and honest with vendors.

If you really love an item, but you would love it more if it cost a little less, say it. And be honest, Tell them how much you would hope to pay. They won’t always be able to accommodate you, but it doesn’t hurt to ask. You can even tell them how much you’re hoping to sell it for or what you would like your profit margin to be.

It also helps when you’re buying multiple things from the vendor. They’re a little more likely to go down on the price if you’re spending a reasonable amount of money with them.

Well, that’s all I have today! Before I go, however, if you’re ready to start buying wholesale but can’t make it to the fashion district, download my vendor lists which include contact info and descriptions of my some of my favorite vendors across various categories!

]]>http://www.jancechartae.com/buying-wholesale/feed/0Buying Wholesale Clothing – How & Where?http://www.jancechartae.com/buying-wholesale-clothing/
http://www.jancechartae.com/buying-wholesale-clothing/#respondTue, 29 May 2018 19:55:10 +0000http://www.jancechartae.com/?p=1729Buying wholesale clothing can be either a lot of fun or a huge headache! Think about it. There are thousand of wholesale vendors out there selling millions of products. With so many items to choose from, the prospect of receiving bad merchandise is scary. For this reason I’m here to share tips for buying wholesale […]

]]>Buying wholesale clothing can be either a lot of fun or a huge headache! Think about it. There are thousand of wholesale vendors out there selling millions of products. With so many items to choose from, the prospect of receiving bad merchandise is scary. For this reason I’m here to share tips for buying wholesale clothing including where and how to buy it.

How to Find Wholesale Clothing

Here’s a disclaimer. The method that I’m sharing below is not favorable amongst current boutique owners. However, I think this is a great way to find wholesale clothing brands when you’ve tried everything else and you’re ready to give up. Go out to boutiques and look at their tags! They won’t like it… but, oh well! Part of starting any business is knowing what the competition is doing. Think of it as doing market research!

Watch my video below to see what I’m talking about!

A few other great methods for buying wholesale clothing are, of course, attending fashion trade shows and visiting the LA fashion district.I would definitely recommend these two methods!

Where to Buy Wholesale Clothing

So, I’ve already briefly told you where to buy wholesale clothing; fashion trade shows and the fashion district. You also know that I highly recommend wholesale fashion marketplaces like fashiongo.net.

But, let’s get a little more specific! I want to share a few of my FAVORITE wholesale vendors. Keep reading to see five of my favorite wholesale vendors. Click HERE to download my vendor lists!

1. Iris / Haute Monde

2. Hyfve / FAVLUX

3. Cherish

4. Zenana

5. Fame Accessories

Would you like to receive contact information for these vendors plus, 20 others? Click here to download this list today! Are you interested in learning about over 100 wholesale vendors? Click here to download a list featuring 145 vendors. There are also lists available for specific categories such as shoes and accessories! Download your copy today!

Also, watch my video below to see me talk about three of my favorite vendors as well as see a couple of items we’ve received from those vendors!

Well guys, I hope that you’ve enjoyed this post! Please comment below if you’d like to see a post about any other topics or shoot me an email at jance@jancechartae.com.

]]>http://www.jancechartae.com/buying-wholesale-clothing/feed/0How to Find Clothing for Your Boutiquehttp://www.jancechartae.com/how-to-find-clothing-for-your-boutique/
http://www.jancechartae.com/how-to-find-clothing-for-your-boutique/#respondTue, 15 May 2018 06:10:51 +0000http://www.jancechartae.com/?p=1704Are you a current or aspiring boutique owner but don’t know how to find clothing for your boutique? Don’t worry, you aren’t alone! As ironic as it sounds, we’ve always been told “there is no such thing as a dumb question” and “you’ll never know unless you ask.” Yet, here we are asking questions and […]

]]>Are you a current or aspiring boutique owner but don’t know how to find clothing for your boutique? Don’t worry, you aren’t alone! As ironic as it sounds, we’ve always been told “there is no such thing as a dumb question” and “you’ll never know unless you ask.” Yet, here we are asking questions and getting no answers. It seems that even Google doesn’t have the answers!

Unfortunately, the truth is that the answers aren’t out there because people are literally not willing to share them. A small handful of “influencers” and so called “successful” boutique owners provide advice. Yet, it seems that none of that advice is actually helpful or valid. They may provide you with a short list of vendors to shop with, but there are very few people sharing tips about how to find clothing for your boutique. So, in today’s post I will be sharing a few tips on how to find clothing for your boutique.

How to Find Clothing for Your Boutique

First and foremost, there are various ways that you can find wholesale merchandise for your boutique. Most people, like myself, will probably go to Google first. But, unfortunately Google will probably return many unreliable results.

Finding reputable clothing vendors for your boutique is going to take some real work! You will literally have to log off of Google and get out of your house. CLICK HERE to watch my video about how I find new vendors for our shop! CLICK HERE to read my book where I share my three favorite ways to find clothing for your boutique.

Here are my general tips on how to find clothing for your boutique:

Visit local boutiques and stores in your local mall. Pay attention to the labels/tags on their clothing and record the names of the brands. Research those brands when you get back to your computer.

Check out a few of the wholesale fashion marketplace websites listed below. The majority of my purchases are made through FashionGo.

Attend a trade show. Find a local one (in a city near you.) You can find a trade show calendar on UBM Fashion’s website. I highly recommend that you attend MAGIC!

Websites to Visit

UBM Fashion – a great resource for connecting buyers to brands across the world; get access to upcoming trade shows and information about latest fashion trends

Shop the Floor – a digital platform that allows brands to showcase their collections to buyers at all times; basically like a digital trade show, over 6,500 brands

All of these website are great resources for any current and/or aspiring boutique owners who want to know how to find clothing for your boutique.

What Qualifies Me to Help You?

As many of you know, I recently started a YouTube channel where I share tips and insight for current and future boutique owners. I was in a transitional state of mind in the months leading up to starting my channel. After working in retail for 11 consecutive years, opening my own boutique seemed like the next logical step in my career.

For years I thought that I wanted to be a boutique owner. I received an amazing opportunity in 2016. I was offered a position as the store manager of a local thrift store and boutique. The best part; I was able to do essentially whatever I wanted. The shop was owned by a local nonprofit organization. They were looking for someone with retail management experience who essentially didn’t need supervision. It was a HUGE blessing and just want I needed!

Why Do I Want to Help You?

I’ve gained so much knowledge during my time in this position and I am so grateful for this opportunity. Now, I want to help others who have dreams of opening a boutique. I gained this knowledge completely on a whim and now I want to give it to others! I want us all to live out our dreams and to succeed!

Now, I’m not Google! So, I don’t have all the answers, but I have a few of them! I gained experience in buying wholesale clothing for the shop. I was able to completely redesign the layout of the store. This opportunity completely gave me all of the motivation and experience I needed in order to become a boutique owner some day.

YouTube and Google seemed like my best resources. But, the answers weren’t there. I had no knowledge of buying wholesale merchandise, pricing it or managing inventory, coming from a corporate retail background. I literally had to figure it out and that’s exactly what I did.

Take a look at a couple of our reports below.

January 2018 – Cost of Goods Sold

May 2018 – Cost of Goods Sold Report (Our Profit Margin is way up!)

Did I Help You Guys Out?

Alright guys! So these are my quick tips about who to find clothing for your boutique! I hope it helps you guys out. Don’t forget, my book is currently exclusively available on Amazon and it’s a great resource for anyone who is looking for extra tips and/or motivation for buying clothing for your boutique. Also, subscribe to my YouTube channel for weekly tips, insider advice and vendors! Until next time…!

]]>http://www.jancechartae.com/how-to-find-clothing-for-your-boutique/feed/0Clothing for a Boutique: Where to Buy?http://www.jancechartae.com/clothing-for-a-boutique/
http://www.jancechartae.com/clothing-for-a-boutique/#commentsSat, 17 Feb 2018 05:14:30 +0000http://www.jancechartae.com/?p=1667So, you’ve decided to open a boutique of your own? You’ve picked a name, but you don’t know where to get clothing for a boutique. Well, today I’m going to tell you exactly where to look. There are three choices that I would recommend to new boutique owners to choose from when buying merchandise for […]

]]>So, you’ve decided to open a boutique of your own? You’ve picked a name, but you don’t know where to get clothing for a boutique. Well, today I’m going to tell you exactly where to look. There are three choices that I would recommend to new boutique owners to choose from when buying merchandise for their boutique.

1. Fashion Trade Shows

Tons of fashion trade shows take place throughout the year in various cities. There are shows hosted in Chicago, Atlanta, Dallas, New York and, the largest,Vegas, to name a few. If you’re trying to find out where to buy clothing for a boutique then this is the place to be.

Warning: It can be super overwhelming, but very imformative.

I recently attended my very first fashion trade show in Las Vegas. This particular trade show is called Magic. It happens twice a year; once in February and once in August. Here you can find the most extensive collection of wholesale vendors all in the same place at the same time. My favorite part about attending this trade show, however, was not the shopping, but actually the seminars that I attended while there. They were all super insightful and could be extremely valuable to a new or future boutique owner.

One of the coolest things about attending a trade show is not only getting to see and feel the merchandise, but also getting to see future collections to come for the upcoming season. One of the vendors actually told me that they tend to sell their merchandise a little cheaper at Magic, so essentially they offer the best deals at this particular trade show. I’m not sure if that’s the case at every trade show though.

Booth from Magic February 2018

2. L.A. Fashion District

My first in-person buying experiences actually took place in the L.A. fashion district; San Pedro. This is much less overwhelming than attending a trade show like Magic. It is literally a section of streets lined with various storefronts of wholesale vendors. Shopping the fashion district is 100 times more chill than attending a fashion trade show. It isn’t as crowded. I’ve actually found that shopping during the week isn’t crowded at all. This allows much more time to connect with the owners/vendors, talk to them about their products, ask questions and plan what you’re going to buy.

The fashion district can be difficult to navigate at first. However, it’s truly a walk in the park compared to shopping at a trade show.

If you are 100% ready to start buying for your boutique and you can afford to take a trip to L.A. I would definitely recommend that you do this first. I would not recommend purchasing clothing for a boutique online if it is your first time buying.

FashionGo can definitely be a huge resource to boutique owners. My first buying experiences actually took place on FashionGo.net. I would definitely recommend this website to an established buyer who is familiar with particular brands and knows exactly what they are looking for or even a new buyer who is trying to get familiar with what’s out there.

FashionGo is a wholesale online shopping mall. Basically it is a website that hosts a ton of wholesale vendors. It is a great place to buy clothing for a boutique. The site gives you various ways to search for merchandise. You can search by specific categories using their header menu. You can search specific vendors by typing its name into the search bar. Or, you can even type in a particular type of item, such as “leather mini skirt” for example, and it will show every single item within the site’s data base that might match that description.

Screenshot from our FashionGo account

You can narrow your search down by price range just like any other online shopping site. You can view the items priced from lowest to highest, or newest to oldest; whatever you would like. The site is very easy to navigate.

The trickiest part about buying clothing for a boutique online, though, is not knowing what you’re going to get. It is very easy to view a photo of a model wearing one item, but you might receive a totally different item in the mail. Or it may look like a certain material or fit online, but in person it is totally different. Trust me. I’ve experienced it! This is why I personally recommend shopping as many vendors as you can in-person first, and then ordering from them online in the future once you have familiarized yourself with the quality of their merchandise.

Random Things To Note

Another great thing about Magic is that you don’t exactly have to pay for your merchandise upfront. With most vendors, you essentially place a pre-order and then they contact you for payment info when the items are ready to be shipped out.

Also, it seems to be a little less official shopping at Magic. One vendor told me that they would typically ask to see a business license or something to prove our business’ legitimacy however, they just assume that if you’re attending a trade show then you must be legit. I’m not saying this to say that you don’t need a business license; you definitely do. But, what I’m saying is don’t discourage yourself from attending a trade show because you don’t feel legit enough to be there. You should go just for the experience even if you aren’t ready to buy.

Something to note about FashionGo is that you MUST upload valid documents to prove the legitimacy of your business before your account will be approved. It is absolutely necessary. Also, unlike most online shopping sites, you cannot shop on this website as a “guest.” You MUST make an account.

Well, ladies (and gents), that’s all I have this time around. If you want more in depth information about any of these shopping and purchasing options please let me know! I’d be more than happy to share more blog posts and/or videos about this topic. Be on the lookout for more retail and boutique-related posts including one where I’ll share some of my favorite vendors to buy from!

]]>http://www.jancechartae.com/clothing-for-a-boutique/feed/8All Black Outfit: How to Make an Outfit Out of Jeans & T-shirthttp://www.jancechartae.com/all-black-outfit/
http://www.jancechartae.com/all-black-outfit/#respondThu, 15 Feb 2018 06:10:25 +0000http://www.jancechartae.com/?p=1618Have you ever had one of those days where you wake up with absolutely no motivation and no time to put effort into creating an outfit? That was me this morning. Actually, that’s been me every morning for like the last five months or so. I have no desire to do my hair and absolutely […]

]]>Have you ever had one of those days where you wake up with absolutely no motivation and no time to put effort into creating an outfit? That was me this morning. Actually, that’s been me every morning for like the last five months or so. I have no desire to do my hair and absolutely no desire to put together an outfit. However, somehow I tend to unintentionally create a “look” from time to time and it usually starts with a simple all black outfit.

Well, today I’m going to share how to create a “look” out of basically nothing.” This look consists of two things that I’m sure we all have; a t-shirt and jeans! Check out how I turned an all black outfit into something spectacular.

1. Your blacks don’t have to match and neither do your fabrics.

Listen to me and listen good. All black anything is an instant outfit. I don’t care what anyone else says. It is what it is. I said what I said. And no one (but probably my mother) cares that you’re wearing two different shades of black. The moment you put on a black top and a black bottom of any sort, you have completed about 75% of your outfit. For the look I’m rocking here, I started with black jeans with fringe at the ankle and a plain black t-shirt. A simple detail like my ankle fringe gave this outfit instant character. Other ways to add flare include rocking leather (pleather), distressed detail, flared or wide leg trousers; anything besides plain black pants adds instant flare. And if you’re going to rock plain black pants then add some flare with your top; lace, fur, bowtie, dramatic sleeves. There are so many ways to make an all black outfit stand out. Think different textures and different fabrics!

2. Add another layer (maybe of a different color).

So, to take my all black outfit to the next level I added a sleeveless, long, fringed vest in another neutral color. You could also choose something of a brighter, more vibrant color. You could add a more structured vest, or even a denim vest would look cool! I also love to create different lines and dimensions for my outfits. I’m super short, so I like to wear things that give the illusion that I’m taller. So, by rocking something a little longer it creates an appearance of me being a little taller.

3. Throw on a jacket (try the over-the-shoulder trend).

So, I’m sure you’ve seen all the bloggers, celebrities and other cool people rocking their jackets over the shoulder rather than actually wearing them how they are intended to be worn. Guilty. I am one of those people as well… at least right now I am. The next step to take an all black outfit to the next level is to add a jacket. Color and style of the jacket are dependent on color of the layer you added in step 2, however.

4. Accessorize.

Now, I must admit, I am not a huge fan of jewelry. I own a lot of it, but I rarely wear any. Instead, I opt for my Apple watch and the same stud earrings on a daily basis. For you all, however, add jewelry if that’s your thing. Jewelry can’t hurt an all black outfit and will surely take your outfit to the next level. But, don’t go overboard. Another accessory that you can add is a scarf. Now, traditionally, most people would opt to wear the scarf around their neck which is totally fine. However, for this look I put my favorite leopard print scarf on my head instead. And, honey when I tell you I took on a new personality, I mean it. I instantly felt kinda regal. LOL

5. Boots or booties will complete the “look.”

There was once a time in my life when I wore boots all year round. I’m not lying. So, believe me when I say boots can and will complete any look. Whether you’re rocking pants, leggings, a skirt, a dress, shorts, etc. boots will always do the trick. They will most definitely add a bit of character to something basic. There are tons of boot styles to choose from. I personally prefer over-the-knee and thigh high boots (they make my legs look longer!). Oh, and I love Chelsea boots! However, if you think I’m country for believing that a boot or bootie will always work, please refer to #6.

6. Heels are your friend.

Let’s face it. Heels can hurt, especially if you’re walking in them too long. But, beauty is pain, right? So, throw the heels on a suck it up. It’s all about the look. You can soak away the pain when you get home.

7. Don’t forget your lipstick.

Last, but certainly not least, a definite way to spruce up your all black outfit is to make sure your face is on point… And by face, I do not mean your natural one. No shade, but if you aren’t feeling like yourself, then your face probably will reflect that. You may not smile as much or draw positive attention if your attitude isn’t on point and neither is your outfit. So, do your makeup in order to take your all black outfit to the next level. And if you don’t want to do your entire face at least put on lipstick! DO NOT forget your lipstick. (Red, preferably!)

Well ladies, I hope you’ve enjoyed this post as much as I’ve enjoyed writing it. Wasn’t that easy? Now, do me a favor and look at my face in that last photo… Ok, now go put that outfit together sis! You got this!

]]>http://www.jancechartae.com/all-black-outfit/feed/0Buying Clothing : Tips for Buying Merchandise for Your Boutiquehttp://www.jancechartae.com/buying-clothing/
http://www.jancechartae.com/buying-clothing/#respondWed, 07 Feb 2018 21:17:44 +0000http://www.jancechartae.com/?p=1623So you want to start a boutique? Or maybe you already own one? Well buying clothing is a huge part, if not the most important part, of running a successful boutique. There are many things that you should consider when buying clothing for your boutique. You have to figure out where to buy clothing from, […]

]]>So you want to start a boutique? Or maybe you already own one? Well buying clothing is a huge part, if not the most important part, of running a successful boutique.

There are many things that you should consider when buying clothing for your boutique. You have to figure out where to buy clothing from, who to buy it from, how much money to spend and how many items to buy. It’s certainly a process.

But, I am here to share a few tips that will make you an expert at buying clothing for your boutique.

Here are a few things to keep in mind!

1. The golden rule – PLAN.

Have you ever heard the saying “If you fail to plan then you plan to fail?” Well it’s true in this instance. When it comes to buying clothing for your boutique, having a plan is essential. Your plan should consist of a variety of things.

How much you want to spend

What you want to buy (Example: 6 styles of dresses, 15 styles of bottoms, 32 styles of tops, etc.)

I like to use Pinterest to create an inspirational board of what to buy. A screenshot of my Pinterest board for my upcoming buying trip is below.

2. You’re Buying Clothing For Everyone Else’s Closet, Not Just Yours

One of the most important things to remember when buying clothing is that everyone won’t like what you like. Just because people tell you that they like how you dress doesn’t mean that everyone wants to dress like you. If you have a team of people working with you, consult them to see what they like. It’s always nice to have a good variety of styles for all types of people in your shop and not just things that cater to one audience or just your own style. Watch my video to learn the best way to have a well-rounded collection of merchandise in your boutique.

3. Know the Difference Between Buying Online and Buying in Person

There can be a a huge difference between buying clothing online and buying clothing in person. I’ll write a separate post to talk more in detail about where to buy clothing. To put it briefly, buying clothing in person gives you the opportunity to feel the clothing before purchasing it. It also gives you the opportunity to potentially build a relationship with someone who works there who will negotiate prices with you. Buying clothing online can be successful if you’re familiar with the brand. Buying clothing wholesale online can be a risky business. Return policies can be strict and restocking fees often apply. So, be mindful of the potential setbacks that could occur.

FashionGo.net – the online wholesale website that we often use to order clothing at wholesale prices

4. Attend Fashion Trade shows

Now, I must say that I have not done this one myself yet. But, I will be attending MAGIC in about four days. However, if you are a super organized person and like to plan things in advance then attending a fashion trade show might be just what you need. Buying clothing at fashion trade shows allows you to see an entire collection of items to be delivered across a span of months/seasons.

For example, when I attend MAGIC this month I will be able to shop items for the upcoming fall and winter season. (Fashion is always ahead.) There will be vendors showcasing items that are currently available. But, buying clothing at a trade show allows you to pre-plan collections to be delivered to your boutique at a later pre-determined date. It also works for budgeting purposes, as some vendors do not charge you until the items are shipped. So, if you order in February, but delivery isn’t until August, you won’t be charged until August when it ships.

5. Ask for Help if You Can’t Find Something

Ask questions whether you are shopping in the fashion district and especially if you are attending a trade show. For example, the last time I went to L.A. to buy clothing I was specifically looking for plus-size clothing, but I couldn’t find anything.

I couldn’t even find any vendors that sold plus-size, let alone specifically catered to plus-size. So, on my second day there I started asking questions while shopping with other vendors. I told them what I was looking for and they told me where to go. If you are ever unsure of anything, ask questions!

6. Pay Attention to Brands Being Sold at Your Favorite Stores & Boutiques

If you see something that you really love at Macy’s or a local boutique, keep a note of it for the next time you’re buying clothing. This is not called cheating or copying. This is called doing research and doing your homework!

Also, you’d be surprised to learn that a lot of big name retailers like Forever 21 and Charlotte Russe are ordering from the very same vendors that small boutique owners order from. Many retailers typically switch the tags inside garments to reflect their brands. However, recently I’ve seen Forever 21, in particular, selling various brands that do not reflect their name.

I don’t know why, but I always feel great knowing that I’m buying from the same vendors and the same market they often are. It’s kind of fulfilling and makes me dream of one day having a company of my own that’s just as popular. I’ll never forget the time our shop and a store in the mall were selling the exact same top. I thought it was so cool… Or the time I bought a ton of Celebrity Pink denim and found out that Macy’s had an entire line of them!

So, these a just a few tips for buying clothing for your boutique. I hope that they’re been of help to you all. Be sure to ASK questions if there is anything you’d like to know! I’d be happy to help!

]]>http://www.jancechartae.com/buying-clothing/feed/0Issa Rae’s Hair: We’re Jealous and We Need Styling Helphttp://www.jancechartae.com/issa-raes-hair/
http://www.jancechartae.com/issa-raes-hair/#commentsFri, 22 Sep 2017 17:00:24 +0000http://www.jancechartae.com/?p=1607I love Issa Rae’s hair! Who is Issa Rae’s hairstylist? And why doesn’t she have a YouTube channel for women who have a TWA (teeny weeny afro) and don’t know what to do with it? I am obsessed with Issa Rae just like every other black girl out there. And I’m also obsessed with her […]

]]>I love Issa Rae’s hair! Who is Issa Rae’s hairstylist? And why doesn’t she have a YouTube channel for women who have a TWA (teeny weeny afro) and don’t know what to do with it?

I am obsessed with Issa Rae just like every other black girl out there. And I’m also obsessed with her show “Insecure.” Issa’s determination to show what it’s really like to be a black girl is super inspiring. From her outspokenness at times, to her boldness in exploring a “ho-tation,” to her overuse of the word “hella,” Issa reminds black girls like me that it’s okay to be yourself. She reminds me that it’s okay to live for myself, have a little fun and make decisions based on what I want for myself and not based on what others will think of me. She reminds me to be true to myself and comfortable in my own skin.

But, there is one area that Issa and her show do not depict very well for the everyday black girl. Issa’s TWA is always perfectly styled, but our reality is that we don’t know what to do with a TWA. Issa Rae’s hair is entirely too styled in every single episode and it literally blows my mind.

Seriously, I have never seen a TWA styled so many ways. She has it braided one way then another, adds weave, has a puff… It looks small and then it looks big. I am legitimately confused and blown away at the same time. Every single episode leaves me amazed because rocking a TWA was literally a nightmare for me.

To be honest, I hated every moment of having a TWA. I mean, honestly, is there anything teeny weeny that you would love besides a baby?

So, you want to talk about what it’s really like to be an awkward black girl? Try styling your hair when it’s at an awkward length and an even more awkward texture. Literally, styling my TWA consisted of washing/co-washing it then rubbing ECO-styler gel through it and praying that it looks ok. And, the reality it that it probably didn’t look ok.

Furthermore, what do you do after you determine that it doesn’t look ok? You scramble to find a headband or twist one side and pin it down… And you still hate it. So, then you say “F” it and throw on a head-wrap. Quite the process, huh?

So here’s the issue.

Issa Rae’s hair looks great in basically every episode and we don’t know why or how!

Issa ain’t sharing the secrets to her hair success!

Can we get an episode of Issa styling her hair while standing in the mirror reciting one of her dope raps? And by styling I literally mean styling!

So, who is this mystery stylist?

Ok, I’m done ranting now. If anyone else is wondering who Issa Rae’s hairstylist is, her name is Felicia Leatherwood. (Yes, I am think “Bye Felicia” for not sharing any styling tips). It turns she is the hairstylist for a few different celebrities with natural hair. Click here to read a little bit about her and the #BlackGirlMagic that she exudes through hairstyling. You can also follow her on Instagram (@lovingyourhair).

She is literally always on her toes with Issa’s natural hair, and us normal women are barely able to stand.

One of the most amazing thing about this woman is that she is a bald beauty. She is out here fearlessly rocking no hair at all while also slaying the H-E-double hockey sticks out of our favorite celebrity’s natural hair. Upon observing Leatherwood’s website I found out she hosts events and workshops. Click here to check out some of her celebrity styles and to sign up for her newsletter.

Last, but not least, join me on her Instagram feed as I flood her pictures with comments of me requesting that she create a YouTube channel for women struggling to style their natural hair! (I’m kidding, but not really…)

Do you watch Insecure? Comment below and let me know how you feel about the show. Is there anything that you’ve noticed that’s off or that you would love to see happen in the next season? Let’s talk about it!

]]>http://www.jancechartae.com/issa-raes-hair/feed/2New York Fashion Week – How to Look Good on a Budgethttp://www.jancechartae.com/new-york-fashion-week-look-good-budget/
http://www.jancechartae.com/new-york-fashion-week-look-good-budget/#respondThu, 21 Sep 2017 17:00:48 +0000http://www.jancechartae.com/?p=1587Here’s a little story about the time I’m sure I committed a fashion faux pas and wore thirfted clothes to New York Fashion Week. For years I have dreamed of going to New York Fashion Week and often fantasized about what I would wear when the opportunity presented itself. Well, the opportunity finally came around […]

]]>Here’s a little story about the time I’m sure I committed a fashion faux pas and wore thirfted clothes to New York Fashion Week.

For years I have dreamed of going to New York Fashion Week and often fantasized about what I would wear when the opportunity presented itself. Well, the opportunity finally came around and I basically flipped my lid.

Because I’ve worked for brands like Michael Kors, DKNY and Saks Fifth Avenue, my first thought was not WHAT I was going to wear, but WHO I was going to wear. I mentally prepared myself to spend an unimaginable amount of money for my short-lived New York Fashion Week experience.

But, suddenly and thankfully, reality set in and I remembered that I’m 27, working for a non-profit and making a very modest income that doesn’t afford me much beyond paying my bills. I was reminded that although I would consider myself “fashionable”, I am not among fashion’s elite and my money is NOT long. All I knew was that I could NOT wear anything from my closet.

$9 shirt from Forever 21; $4 pants from Savers

After a few days, I came back down to earth and I remembered that my very modest income came from my job as a thrift store manager. News flash! My light switched on!

I could literally make an outfit out of anything. Every week I see thousands of items come through our door in the form of donations. I see things likes Ralph Lauren, Coach, Michael Kors… all types of things.

So, I came up with an awesome idea. I would create as many Fashion Week looks as possible and spend as little money as possible by only shopping at thrift stores.

1. Shop with a purpose (meaning have an idea of what you’re looking for).

Now don’t get me wrong. It wasn’t an easy task. To make things easier I gave myself these rules and guidelines to follow.

No item can cost more than $10.

Items must be purchased from various stores.

All items must be able to be worn multiple times and able to be mixed and matched with multiple things.

Stray away from neutral colors.

Every outfit must be able to be worn with shoes that I already own. (Because I have so many)

Every outfit must pair with accessories that I already own.

2. Set a Budget. (Remember You’re Going to New York Fashion Week)

As stated above, I gave myself the restriction of only buying items that were $10 or less. However, it’s also helpful to set a total amount that you want to spend. Also, you get more bang for your buck when you decide how much you want to spend per item. Most importantly, remember that you’re going to New York Fashion Week. You need to save as much money as possible!

3. Be aware of Your Current Wardrobe

My philosophy when shopping (whether in a mall or a thrift shop) is if I can’t pair it with multiple things in my closet then I don’t really need it. Develop a similar mentality. Pick a number and if you can’t pair the item with that number of items in your closet currently then don’t buy it. After you’ve done this decide if the items you’ve picked are “New York Fashion Week worthy.”

4. Salvation Army Before Other Shops

My first trip was to my local Salvation Army and it was actually my most successful shopping trip of the day. I spent just under $20 and I was super excited! Check #4 to see how I did it! Additionally, I’ve noticed over the years that many people resort to Salvation Army and Goodwill because they just aren’t aware of any other places they can donate clothes to. So, you would be surprised at some of the amazing things you’ll find at Salvation Army and I guarantee it’ll be super cheap!

5. Sign up for Mailing Lists and Rewards Programs for Additional Discounts

So, I actually lucked up (and made a great decision) by waiting until Labor Day to go thrift shopping for New York Fashion Week. Everything was 50% off for Labor Day! #Winning! But, I also took the time to sign up for each stores mailing list. By signing up for Salvation Army’s email list I received an instant 10% off coupon that I could combine with the 50% off discount. #WinningAgain!

6. Do not focus on size!

The best advice that I can give you is to not focus on size. Styles and sizes have changed dramatically over the years, so what you think might be too big may actually fit you perfectly.For instance, I’m typically a size 0-2, but I have bought things that were a size 8 and oddly they fit perfectly.

7. Try Everything on.

After you’ve gone through EVERY SINGLE rack, try everything on. Put together as many outfits as you possibly can without breaking your budget. Imagine the shoes and accessories that you’ll pair with each item/outfit as you’re trying things on. And remember, if you can’t pair it with other things in your closet (most importantly your shoes and accessories) then don’t buy it. Don’t waste your money on things you probably won’t wear again, even if it’s not very much money.

8. Thrift First, Mall Later.

Last, but not least, do not resort to the mall until you have shopped as many thrift stores as possible. I did not visit the mall until I realized that I was having difficulty finding shirts that fit. So, I went to the mall, but with very similar guidelines. Be cheap. Shop clearance racks and try your hardest to spend $10 or less per item. Thanks to Forever 21 I succeeded.

Well everyone, that’s the end of my pre-New York Fashion Week story. I hope that these trips are valuable to you whether you’re attending Fashion Week or simply trying to make the most of your next thrift shopping experience. If you have any additional thrift shopping tips or have been to Fashion week, share your experience and what you wore in the comments!

I repurposed the yellow jacket later in the evening with my $2 pants from Salvation Army and $10 shirt from Forever 21.

$7 hat from a local thrift store; shirt I already owned, $8 skirt from Goodwill.

]]>http://www.jancechartae.com/new-york-fashion-week-look-good-budget/feed/0Effortless Fashion : Thank God for “Athleisure”http://www.jancechartae.com/effortless-fashion/
http://www.jancechartae.com/effortless-fashion/#respondTue, 29 Aug 2017 03:33:57 +0000http://www.jancechartae.com/?p=1515One thing about fashion is that it is always changing. Amazingly, fashion is currently probably the most effortless that it’s ever been. Literally, nowadays you can make an outfit out of almost anything. So, this post will be about how to create effortless fashion. Furthermore, this year, fashion has been all about looking laid-back and […]

]]>Spicy Hat : Charlotte Russe ; Lace-Up Leggings : Forever 21 ; Burgundy Vans : Journeys Kidz ; Conscious Beyonce Tee : AfroLogic Art (not available, but other great styles are)One thing about fashion is that it is always changing. Amazingly, fashion is currently probably the most effortless that it’s ever been. Literally, nowadays you can make an outfit out of almost anything. So, this post will be about how to create effortless fashion.

Furthermore, this year, fashion has been all about looking laid-back and cool. No joke, it has never been easier for me to decide what to wear in the morning. I really hope this whole effortless fashion thing sticks around.

Althleisure Staples

The simplest pieces can now make up an outfit. T-shirts, leggings, plaid shirts, sweat pants, sneakers and hats have literally been my 2017 wardrobe staples. Thanks to the “athleisure” trend we can literally make an outfit out of nothing.

Transforming the Look

So, one of the cool things about fashion is how easily you can change or enhance an outfit. It’s literally effortless fashion. For instance, the outfit that I’m wearing in this post could easily be transformed. I could take the plaid shirt from around my waist and actually put it on. I could remove the plaid shirt all together and add a jacket of some sort instead.

Additionally, I could tie my shirt in the front or back and transform it into a crop top, then remove my Vans and wear heels instead. The lace on the sides of the leggings adds and instant element of sexy. So, it wouldn’t be hard to take this outfit from basic, to bomb.

Links to all of the items I’m wearing are in the caption underneath the picture above. The leggings I’m wearing are actually high-waisted; another element of sexy. Throw on a crop top and you’re ready to go.

I hope you all have enjoyed this short and sweet post. Let me know if there’s anything that you all would like me to write about.